Fixed Wireless Access is any wireless solution used in the access network that delivers network connectivity to a fixed terminal (end user). For example a point-to-multipoint (PTMP) solution installed on the roof of a tall building that delivers broadband connectivity to homes and offices in the coverage area is a Fixed Wireless Access solution. There are multiple deployment scenarios and options for this type of network and these should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Fiwave offers a high performance and low cost approach to point-to-multipoint networks. Our network solution delivers 150Mb/s (300Mb/s on physical layer) of measured IP throughput shared between all customers on the same frequency/sector. Deployments with multiple frequencies and sectors are possible, so 1Gb/s or more is possible from one base station location with multiple sectors and frequencies. Each client device (end user) can use up to 100Mb/s of the shared bandwidth. The solution operates in Line of Sight (LOS) and Near Line of Sight scenarios and can be used for point-to-point as well as point-to-multipoint deployments. Ranges of up to 3km are recommended.

In order to maximise bandwidth and mitigate interference the solution is designed with Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) technology, Time Division Duplexing (TDD), and Dual Polarisations (Vertical + Horizontal) to deliver exceptional bandwidth, spectral efficiency and to provide good protection from interference. As with carrier grade networks our solution uses the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) algorithm to deliver deterministic low latency performance to any number of client devices and at any network load. The solution also supports other QoS mechanisms such as classification of traffic, DSCP/802.1p marking and prioritisation of delay-sensitive traffic such as VoIP and video.

The solution exploits Ofcom's unlicensed (5.4 GHz) and lightly licensed (5.8 GHz) spectrum regulations making it affordable for most deployments. Performance and range is typically excellent given that Ofcom has allocated 19 x 20MHz channels of spectral bandwidth and permitted the use of higher power levels. Unlike 2.4 GHz and 5.1 GHz these bands are not used by noisy indoor wireless devices such as Wi-Fi routers sold on the retail market.

This solution is suitable for most FWA deployment scenarios in the UK. It complies with Ofcom and European regulations as they apply for this class of network and equipment. It is designed for and widely used by wireless ISPs worldwide. The base station, sector antennas and client devices are provided by the same manufacturer which guarantees good interoperability and consistent performance.

The Fiwave team has extensive experience in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint Fixed Wireless Access deployments ranging from small indoor Wi-Fi solutions to city-wide mobile wireless access deployments. This includes experience with point-to-multipoint WISP Wi-Fi solutions at 2.4 and 5.4 GHz as well as WiMAX at 3.5 GHz.

The solution described above is targeted at the most common Fixed Wireless Access requirement with very good cost/performance ratio. However, this is just one of the wireless solutions we can offer. We will look at each project or requirement and design or select a solution that is best suited to meet the requirement. For the few deployment scenarios that require licensed spectrum Fiwave offers a different solution based on WiMAX technology.